Your sweet little dog may be hiding a deadly secret from you.
Researchers have discovered a drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris that originated in dogs’ ear canals.
The fungus is a serious concern because some strains should not deterred by the antifungal drugs used to treat other Candida infections, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A recent discovery – discovered within the ears of 4 stray dogs in India – is especially worrying because it implies that man’s best friend could transmit the fungus to humans.
Some health workers estimate that greater than 1 in 3 patients with serious C. auris infections will die, in response to the press release.
The World Health Organization has named C. auris as one among the “critical priority” fungal diseases on this planet.
“Although C. auris was only present in stray dogs on this study, there are various stray dogs in lots of parts of the world,” said Jianping Xu, study co-author and professor at McMaster University in Canada.
![veterinarian checking dog's ear](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013863369.jpg?w=1024)
“These dogs can act as carriers for C. auris to achieve other animals and humans,” added Xu. The study was published within the Journal of Fungi.
Other fungi have been observed in dogs, but that is the primary time C. auris has been isolated from any animal.
Evaluation of C. auris DNA present in 4 dogs revealed genetic similarities to human strains, raising the likelihood that the canine fungus could jump to humans.
“We’d like to be vigilant within the surveillance of dogs, other pets and wildlife in regions where C. auris is endemic,” Xu said.
“While C. auris is well transmitted from individual to individual, the route of transmission between animals or from animals to humans is far less clear and further research is required.”
![image of the WHO conference](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000009298360.jpg?w=1024)
The fungus is a selected problem in hospital settings where serious outbreaks can occur.
Recent York State has been one among those with probably the most cases of C. auris in America, with 379 confirmed cases of the damaging, drug-resistant fungus in 2022.
Last yr’s totals put it alongside Nevada, California and Florida because the states with probably the most infections from the fungus, with 384, 359 and 349 cases respectively.